One quarterback has already cemented his place in the Hall of Fame once his career is done. The other one is trying to shed the label of being a “game manager.”
But the biggest difference between Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy could very well be their contracts.
Here’s a recap of their 2023 seasons and a look at the wide gap in their two current deals.
Patrick Mahomes’ 2023 Season
Although he threw for 4,000 yards for the sixth consecutive season, Mahomes did see many of his numbers decline from 2022.
His completion percentage of 67.2% was a career high (his previous best came in 2022, 67.1%), but his passing yards (4,183) and touchdown passes (27) were his fewest since 2019.
In addition, Mahomes threw a career-high 14 interceptions this season. And his passer rating of 92.6 was the lowest in the six seasons he has been a starter with the Chiefs.
But once again, Mahomes came up big in the playoffs, with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Including the postseason, the Chiefs are 8-0 when Mahomes does not throw an interception, and 5-6 when he throws at least one pick.
Brock Purdy’s 2023 Season
In his second season, Purdy completed 69.4% of his passes for 4,280 yards, with 31 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was the NFL’s highest-rated passer, with a 113.0 rating.
Purdy finished in the top five of the NFL in both completion percentage (fourth), passing yards (fifth), and passing touchdowns (third). In the 49ers’ 12 regular-season wins, Purdy threw for 28 touchdowns with only two interceptions, and in their four losses, he had just three TD passes and nine interceptions.
Purdy’s completion percentage went down slightly in the two playoff games (61.4%), and he combined for just two TD passes and one INT in the two games.
But in the second half of the NFC Championship Game against the Lions, Purdy stood out, completing 13 of 16 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown pass, and zero interceptions. In addition, after having -1 rushing yards at the half, Purdy rushed for 49 yards in the second half.
Mahomes’ Contract Status
According to spotrac.com, Mahomes is in the second year of a 10-year, $450 million contract that he signed in the summer of 2020. The average salary of $45 million may not put him in the top five of AAV (average annual value) among quarterbacks, But his total contract value ($450 million) is easily No. 1 in the NFL (No. 2 is Joe Burrow at $275 million.)
In addition, his contract will result in a cap hit of at least $57 million over each of the next four seasons.
Purdy’s Contract Status
While Mahomes’ contract is No. 1 in the NFL in total value, Purdy wasn’t even the highest-paid QB on his team. That honor went to backup Sam Darnold, who had a one-year, $4.5 million deal in 2023.
After being selected with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy signed a four-year, $3,737,008 contract. His total contract value ranks 64th among NFL quarterbacks, behind such notable QBs as Skylar Thompson ($3,742,216), Nick Mullens ($4,000,000), Tanner McKee ($4,026,520), and Clayton Tune ($4,190,624).
Comparing the Two Contracts
While the difference between the current contracts of Mahomes and Purdy is significant, it looks even more absurd when compared side by side.
Contract Length
- Mahomes: 10 years
- Purdy: 4 years
Contract Value
- Mahomes: $450,000,000
- Purdy: $3,737,008
Average Annual Value
- Mahomes: $45,000,000
- Purdy: $934,252
Guaranteed Value
- Mahomes: $141,481,905
- Purdy: $77,008
2024 Cap Hit
- Mahomes: $57,358,269
- Purdy: $1,004,252
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!